Severe Storm Causes Power Outages and Travel Disruptions Across Tenerife

Severe weather hit Tenerife this Sunday, testing the island’s infrastructure and highlighting its vulnerability to heavy rainfall. According to the 112 Emergency and Security Coordination Center, the storm caused a series of incidents that disrupted travel and power supplies across the region.

The most widespread issue occurred at 8:24 a.m., when a power failure left approximately 180,000 customers in Tenerife and La Gomera without electricity. While power was restored within 27 minutes, the outage served as a reminder of how sensitive the island’s energy grid is to adverse weather.

In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, emergency crews responded to a dozen incidents. A large tree fell on the Rambla, forcing traffic to be diverted near Calle Numancia. The island’s rugged terrain also posed risks, with rockfalls reported in El Tablero, María Jiménez—where a car was damaged—and along the TF-12 road in the Anaga mountains. As a precaution, the Natural Environment Unit (UMEN) closed several mountain trails to keep the public safe.

The south of the island saw the heaviest rain, particularly in Granadilla de Abona. In El Médano, 26 liters of rain per square meter fell in just one hour, causing coastal flooding. During the storm, a swimmer got into difficulty at sea, triggering a rescue operation involving air and sea teams. The individual managed to reach the shore safely and did not require medical attention.

At higher elevations, the storm brought a wintry touch, with snow falling near the peak of Mount Teide and the Altavista Refuge. With nearly 50 alerts issued across the archipelago since midnight, emergency services remain on high alert as the storm continues to impact the island.